Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-15
FRun.GR0WING.
Various Fruits for the Different Soils and
Climates.

EDS. RECORD UNION Much has been said
and written about the cultis alton OF fruit
trees and vines, and yet there remains
much to be learned. TO look over the va
rious parts of the State and observe the
difference in climate, situation and soil of
the counties that enjoy a reputation for
fruit-growing, we will become convinced
that fruit trees and vines will grow in al
most any climate or soil, from the red foot
bills of the Sierras to the rich and alluvial
lands in the bay counties.
But, if we become acquainted with the
natural requirements of the fruits we wish
to raise, we will find that certain fruits re-
| quire peculiar climate and soil in order to
produce the most satisfactory results. Pine
| and oak trees grow in extreme northern
latitudes, but they do not compare with
the giant oaks and lofty pines grown in
a more genial cline. So, if we wish to
raise the best peaches, we must find the
| soil ana climate best adapted to the peach,
and likewise with other fruits. If man
owns ranch that is adapted to raising APP
Piles, he should raise apples, for good APP
| piles are better than poor peaches; even
good potatoes are better than poor oranges.
| 1t has been a general belief among farm
eTs and orchardists that pear trees should
| be planted in low or wet land. And vet
| this is contrary to the nature of the pear.
A gentleman that lived for many years in
Smyrna told ME few days ago that pear
trees grow wild in the dry mills and noun
tains near Mongrand, often as high as 4, 600
| feet above the sea, and he said that the eli
mate is much the same as in the foothills
| of California. Where these trees are found
in groves they are grated and fenced in by
the natives. Strangers who happen to be
travelling over the mountains are much
! surprised to find pear orchards, loaded with
bright-yellow fruit, high up in the mount
aims, among forests of pine, far from water
and human habitation. When the fruit is
ripe the natives haul water and camp near
the wild orchard until the fruit is gathered,
then leave the trees without care or cultiya-
ton until another harvest.
| He also told me that very few olive orch
ards have been planted in Smyrna, as they,
too, grow wild in sufficient number to sup
ply the demand. These trees are found in
the dryest and rockiest parts of the country
moisture apparently being their greatest
enemy. Even in our own State, wild plums
and cherries are found on the high mount
ains-often as high as 1000 or 5000 feet
above the sea-and the higher and dryer
the land the better the fruit. All fruits so
far as / know, in their wild state, grow on
the uplands, except the grape, which is al
| ways found near some stream of water
So we generally reverse the laws of ma
ture. If we have dry and rocky hillside,
we plant it to vines, and the pear trees and
| plums, etc, are taken from their natural
| home, on the dry and sunny hillside, and
| planted in low or wet lands; or, if a wet
place cannot be found they must be irri-
gated. Now, l hold, that if vines will
grow and bear good fruit on the dry hill
sides without irrigation, pears, peaches,
olives, etc, will certainly grow and bear
better fruit than they would in low and
wet land. If grapes are finer favored
when grown without irrigation, it stands
to reason that peaches, pears, etc., so
grown would be superior to those grown
in wet lands. do not say that the yield
of fruit is as large, but do say that fruit
| grown without irrigation is of superior
quality-is better for shipping, will keep
longer, and will always bring the top mar
| ket price.
We must learn the nature of the tree and
fruits we wish to raise, and not go too much
on what other people say. Remember it is
always some "fool" in the neighborhood
that tries some new plan. If some one had
not acted the fool" California would not
now raise enough fruit to supply China
| fruit-stand. 1t was "big fool" if l re-
member rightly, that planted the first
orange tree in Northern California. What
California needs is more such fools We
will never learn what can be done in Cali
| fornia by reading agricultural books printed
in New York. We must get thoroughly
acquainted with the land we cultivate.
Auburn, February y, 1887. Z. N. f.